The story of a young group of siblings pretty much abandoned by their parents, surviving by their wits - and humor - on a rough Manchester council estate. Whilst they won't admit it, they need help and find it in Steve, a young middle class lad who falls for Fiona, the oldest sibling, and increasingly finds himself drawn to this unconventional and unique family. Anarchic family life seen through the eyes of an exceptionally bright fifteen year old, who struggles to come of age in the context of his belligerent father, closeted brother, psychotic sister and internet porn star neighbors.
Episodes
It's a grand occasion as the residents of Chatsworth celebrate being awarded an Olympic ring from London 2012. The Maguires toast the expansion of their empire: Mimi's hijacked control of the local school via the PTA and Shane's setting up a new business venture. Business is booming, but the family is thrown into turmoil when Jamie makes a shocking discovery about his family tree and withdraws from the firm. Can Mimi persuade Jamie to return as head of the family before all is lost or will a shocking secret tear Chatsworth's leading family apart? Meanwhile, Frank finds himself climbing the employment ladder as janitor of 'St Mimi's School', conveniently funding his new leisure activity - the Gastric Bandits, a prostitute double act with Sherrilee and Derrilee, who light up his life.
As a member of the PTA, Mimi demands respect. But when the teachers threaten to quit over the return of a notorious troublemaker and Mimi's quick to dole out advice, Headmaster Banbury couldn't care less. When Mimi hears that the school will be failed by School Inspector Edward Clayhill, she decides to save the day. But not without the help of the Chatsworth residents. Meanwhile, Jamie tries to contact his half-brother Kassi, but after the punch-up in the Jockey, Kassi won't pick up the phone. When Kassi fails to show for a drink, Jamie's forced to recognise that maybe having a new brother isn't going to work. Elsewhere, Frank discovers an unexpected perk of being janitor at the school: 24-hour access. Quick to take advantage, Frank invites the Gastric Bandits for an after-hours drug-fuelled romp, whilst Gloria and Dom continue to hide their sordid affair. But how long can they keep their disgraced secret?
Kelly agrees to help save Lillian's savings from police survelliance. But when she discovers how much Lillian has, she is forced to decide what she values more: Money or Lillian's friendship? Meanwhile, Banbury is forced to ask Mimi for help when a problem occurs at the school. Elsewhere, Patreesha plans a housewarming party for Avril which suffers problems surrounding the theme.
Jamie's illusion of his brother's perfect life is shattered when the police raid Kassi's home and haul him to the station. Kassi won't tell Jamie what's going on, but asks Jamie to help find him and his family a place on the Chatsworth during the investigation. So the Blanco family: Kassi, his wife Esther and their four feral children move in next door to the Maguires. Excited by their recent underhand windfall, Kelly and Marty decide to buy a house, but suspicions are aroused about their dirty money, and all hell breaks loose. Shane plays a game of cat and mouse with Sergeant Randall - a shag would suffice but Shane now wants more, and Randall likes to play by her own rules.
Chesney's having a rough day at work. His chillers have broken, but on the hunt for replacements he meets Remona, a feisty Muslim pharmacist. Within no time he decides to refit Chesco, add a chemist and give Remona the job of running it. But has he acted too rashly? When Avril loses her job, Patreesha insists that she goes to work at the car wash she owns with her husband, Bernard. But Patreesha is in for a shock when she investigates their business further. Elsewhere, Kassi, Shane and Jamie are suited and booted for a big night on the town, but things don't go according to plan.
Aiden is once again in trouble with the law. Sentenced to community service, Aiden is forced to care for an OAP called Stanton. But his life is thrown into turmoil when Stanton dies whilst he was supposed to be looking after him. Meanwhile, Esther is struggled to keep her family together without Kassi. But when she reaches breaking point, Frank comes to her rescue and teaches her that life as a single-parent isn't bad. Elsewhere, Dom is convinced he is guilty of murder.
Shane's plans for DJ Scouse Mouse at Shane-a-delica are going well. Tickets for the festival are selling out and the site looks impressive. After Mimi and Jamie learn about Shane's affair with Randall they decide they can't supply any drugs at the festival, resulting in a chain of events which puts Shane's relationship with Randall and the festival itself in jeopardy.
Frank is shocked when he boards a bus - only to be reunited with his eldest son, Lip, and grandaughter Katie. However, it is not a pleasent reunion between father and son as it soon becomes clear that Lip is living in the area. But doesn't want Katie to be associated with his alcoholic father or Chatsworth.
A robbery at Chesney's shop reunites Remona with her estranged father, Barry. But she is not willing to rekindle their relationship. However, Chesney begins warming to her father and plots to reunite them. Meanwhile, Frank thinks he's hit the jackpot when he finds a stash of drugs at Esther's. Elsewhere, Shane is pushed to breaking point as Randall becomes obsessed with him.
Billy is fed up of being the village idiot and decides it's time to earn the respect of Mimi and his peers by applying for a security salesman job. But with no experience and qualifications it's not that easy. Things start to unravel when Billy pretends he's secured the job and sinks to new levels in his quest for respect. Esther is shocked to discover that Thalia's black eye is a result of her daughter being a bully. Determined to make Thalia show more compassion for her schoolmates and set a good example, Esther sets about apologising to various Chatsworth residents, but they are far from impressed. Meanwhile, Lillian takes pity on a neglected Stella and invites her to spend time in her house. A brothel is no place for a young child though, especially when she gives Lillian's valued workers nits.
Patreesha thinks she is the latest British music export to the States when her new jazz musician boyfriend Louis promises her a lucrative singing career across the pond. But when Louis is outed as a con-man and Patreesha's dreams become nightmares, Avril goes to extreme lengths to help get her sister out of the trouble she has put herself in. Meanwhile, a misunderstanding with Mimi leads to Frank becoming an outcast amogst the Chatsworth community.
It seems Chatsworth may never be the same again when Mimi announces her plans to retire and move to Wilmslow to dedicate her life to charity.
Things are looking up for Frank: Derilee has left her husband and joined him at the Gallaghers, becoming a surrogate mum for Stella and his job is going well. However, things are set to change forever when a gunman runs riot on the estate - It's Derilee's husband Baxter and his target is Frank. As police swarm the estate, Frank, Derilee and Stella are held hostage, and if that wasn't enough for the feckless Gallagher to handle: ex-wife Monica is back! Meanwhile, Lillian has a new boyfriend, whilst Mimi's fued with the Blanco family reaches a climax.
After spending months in jail, Frank returns to Chatsworth hoping for a welcome home party. However, he discovers Monica has took up residency at the Gallaghers - and is expecting his tenth child, and the return of a few faces from his past heralds the end of an era. Meanwhile, it's business as usual at Chesco's, as an old face re-instates herself.
